Colorado group gives Westborough veteran $38K wheelchair

Saturday

Dec 31, 2011 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2011 at 9:50 AM

Despite a difficult year, resident and Army veteran Jim Gingras is looking forward to newfound freedom in 2012 thanks to the donation of a high-tech wheelchair from the Colorado-based Wheels for Disabled Veterans.

Kelleigh Welch/Daily News staff

Despite a difficult year, resident and Army veteran Jim Gingras is looking forward to newfound freedom in 2012 thanks to the donation of a high-tech wheelchair from the Colorado-based Wheels for Disabled Veterans.

The newly created organization, run by Frederick, Colo., resident Jack Levinson, collects wheelchairs from families that no longer need them, and donates the chairs to disabled veterans.

“People have scooters in their homes or garages that are brand new, and they just sit there wasted,” Levinson said. “And we’ve got people that could use the help.”

Although Levinson’s focus began in Colorado, a phone call from Gingras’ sister-in-law Brandy Duff, who read about the program in a Colorado newspaper, brought him across the country to give Gingras a new, $38,000 wheelchair.

Gingras, 37, has lived with his wife and two kids on the second floor of his mother’s home on Steven Road since his father died in 2007. Gingras said his mother, Joanne, has multiple sclerosis, and he moved in to help her as much as possible.

But in June, Gingras was involved in a motorcycle crash that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Since his return from the hospital, Gingras said he has been unable to go outside or even go upstairs, and has struggled to adjust to his new challenge.

“The biggest thing is that I just want to be more independent and to feel normal,” Gingras said.

With the donation of his new wheelchair, Gingras said he could finally start to regain his independence.

“When Brandy told me Jack was willing to donate a chair, I was excited. I couldn’t wait for it to get here,” Gingras said.

“He’s always been independent, and this is a great gift for him to be able to go outside with his kids and his dog,” Joanne Gingras said.

The wheelchair arrived by FedEx yesterday morning, and with the help of Levinson, two FedEx officials and family friend Dave Bagdon, Gingras was lifted onto his new device. Members of the Westborough VFW, Northborough American Legion and Westborough resident Denzil Drewry representing Sen. Scott Brown, also gathered at the Gingras home to celebrate.

“He’s going to have some fun,” said Joanne Gingras.

Levinson said he hopes to spread his program throughout the country, and has already seen a positive response. He said since his first donation in Colorado, he has received 13 other wheelchairs, and the company Pride Mobility is donating 20 more.

“It’s amazing how people really just want to help,” said Levinson.

To help the Wheels for Disabled veterans organization, Westborough Veteran’s Agent George Perry has said he will duplicate the program in Massachusetts, and can direct any disabled veterans to available wheelchairs, or vice versa.

“It’s a fabulous program,” Perry said. “(Any disabled veterans) can give us a buzz and we’ll work it out.”

If any local veterans would like to learn more about the Wheels for Disabled Veterans program, or are in need of assistance, they can contact Perry at 508-366-3085.

(Kelleigh Welch can be reached at 508-490-7475 or kwelch@wickedlocal.com.)

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